What Causes Jealousy in the Workplace?

by Casey Kennedy, Demand Media

Jealousy in the workplace causes problems for employers.

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Jealousy is a raw human emotion created when a person feels insecure or anxious about his importance or value to other people. When jealousy occurs in the office, it puts a strain on relationships and causes problems. Workers could side with one employee over another, which leads to office gossip, sabotage and even bullying. As an employer, recognizing what causes jealousy in the workplace is the first step to eliminating it.

Promotions

Although promotions are a necessary part of any work environment, when workers feel they were overlooked for a promotion or it was given to someone who is less qualified, it not only creates jealousy but it can also make the workplace toxic. If you have to choose to promote one of two employees who have similar backgrounds, help negate feelings of jealousy by explaining to the second employee the qualifications you were looking for and how you arrived at your decision. Suggest ways the employee can increase her chances of future promotions, such as getting further training or taking on more difficult tasks.

Lack of Recognition

Praise all employees for a job well done instead of just a select few. Everyone likes to know that the boss thinks they are doing a good job and that they are appreciated. When awards or bonuses are based on job performance, provide all employees with a list of the criteria you use for evaluation. If one employee has constant stellar performance, impose a limit to the amount of times he is eligible for an award. This keeps other employees from resenting one person and gives others a chance to shine.

Favoritism

Avoid continuously giving plush assignments to your favorite employee. Employers always have certain employees whom they feel comfortable around and have more in common with. Even though you might like one employee better than another, you should still treat all employees equally. Ask the opinions of all your workers, instead of relying on a select few to guide you. You can prevent jealousy from occurring by making all employees feel that their ideas are appreciated and valued.

Lack of Teamwork

Resentment and jealousy often grow when one department appears to receive special treatment over another. As an example, one group might constantly have to stay late while another is allowed to leave on time. Emphasize a need for teamwork among the managers. Productivity soars when everyone is working as one team instead of pointing fingers and trying to outdo each other. This not only helps deflect jealousy, but it creates an atmosphere of “we’re all in this together.”

About the Author

Based in Atlanta, Casey Kennedy has been writing online content since 2009. She specializes in writing about small business, careers, real estate, and ecommerce. She also enjoys writing about a variety of other subjects, including home improvement, gardening, and pet care. She attended the Academy of Art online, studying interior architecture and design while pursuing commercial flight training at Aviation Atlanta in Georgia.

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